Unfortunately due to some circumstances outside of my control, I often have to deal with a lot of background noise during my meditation, such as, people talking, lights being switched on, arguments, tv, etc etc.

Any useful tips on how to not get distracted by such noise??

I have a feeling someone might suggest walking meditation, so besides that as I do prefer sitting, especially with a lack of a flat path and some cold weather.

If you think nibbana is better than samsara, then you've missed the point - Ajahn Sumedho

Our environment cannot always be peaceful, silent.... with the aroma of incense, the periodic striking of a bell, or nothing to accompany us, but the sound and sensation of our breath.

You lucky person! What a most excellent opportunity to truly develop calm and insight!

Be Aware.Be aware of every single sound, and everything that happens.Note them, take them in, focus on them.But do not add a single mental word of commentary, other than 'voice'....'light'.....TV.....

Be with them, but not of them. Involve yourself yet remain detached. Sit. Absorb, observe, and let go.

That's my method, anyway.

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

TheNoBSBuddhist wrote:This illustrates exactly how important Meditation, and focus is.

Our environment cannot always be peaceful, silent.... with the aroma of incense, the periodic striking of a bell, or nothing to accompany us, but the sound and sensation of our breath.

You lucky person! What a most excellent opportunity to truly develop calm and insight!

Be Aware.Be aware of every single sound, and everything that happens.Note them, take them in, focus on them.But do not add a single mental word of commentary, other than 'voice'....'light'.....TV.....

Be with them, but not of them. Involve yourself yet remain detached. Sit. Absorb, observe, and let go.

That's my method, anyway.

Thanks for the advice no.b.s.

But I wish to develop concentration rather than from an insight basis.I think I might try and get some giant earplugs, as this noise sometimes tries to interact with me even in the middle of my meditation.The forest is looking like a sweet sanctuary right now.

If you think nibbana is better than samsara, then you've missed the point - Ajahn Sumedho

To me the exercise is the same thing. Do not be distracted by external sounds/stimulii, but CONCENTRATE on making them part and parcel of what you are doing, without attachment.

It is what it is.your resistance to 'what is', seems to indicate you think you can 'improve on it'.

Accept it. Let it be. Float like a leaf on the surface of a stream. You're with the water, but not part of it....

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....

greeneggsandsam wrote:Unfortunately due to some circumstances outside of my control, I often have to deal with a lot of background noise during my meditation, such as, people talking, lights being switched on, arguments, tv, etc etc.

Any useful tips on how to not get distracted by such noise??

I have a feeling someone might suggest walking meditation, so besides that as I do prefer sitting, especially with a lack of a flat path and some cold weather.

HI greeneggs

just get up early in the morning, say an hour before everyone else. This has always worked well for me.

kind regardsmanas

Then the Blessed One, picking up a tiny bit of dust with the tip of his fingernail, said to the monk, "There isn't even this much form...feeling...perception...fabrications...consciousness that is constant, lasting, eternal, not subject to change, that will stay just as it is as long as eternity." (SN 22.97)

greeneggsandsam wrote:Unfortunately due to some circumstances outside of my control, I often have to deal with a lot of background noise during my meditation, such as, people talking, lights being switched on, arguments, tv, etc etc.

Any useful tips on how to not get distracted by such noise??

I have a feeling someone might suggest walking meditation, so besides that as I do prefer sitting, especially with a lack of a flat path and some cold weather.

HI greeneggs

just get up early in the morning, say an hour before everyone else. This has always worked well for me.

Mkoll wrote:Yes, getting up at 4AM is an almost sure way to avoid such noise.

And I find that the air is fresher and sweeter to breathe at that time, too.

Then the Blessed One, picking up a tiny bit of dust with the tip of his fingernail, said to the monk, "There isn't even this much form...feeling...perception...fabrications...consciousness that is constant, lasting, eternal, not subject to change, that will stay just as it is as long as eternity." (SN 22.97)

The trouble with that is, living as a lay person, there is the danger of falling asleep at around 2pm.... Which is not ideal, if one is, for example, a truck-driver....

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....

greeneggsandsam wrote:But I wish to develop concentration rather than from an insight basis.I think I might try and get some giant earplugs, as this noise sometimes tries to interact with me even in the middle of my meditation.The forest is looking like a sweet sanctuary right now.

Concentration is sustaining a quality of balance and attentiveness of mind, it has nothing to do with focusing on a single object though focusing on a single object helps to get it established.

Noise is only a problem because of aversion to it, because you think it shouldn't be happening and you'd be better off without it. Better to use it as an opportunity to train the mind to be balanced and attentive in adverse circumstances.

“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.” ― Ajahn Chah

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....

Thank you.I even looked it up, just in case.(I'm a complete doofus, so you never know... )

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....

greeneggsandsam wrote:Unfortunately due to some circumstances outside of my control, I often have to deal with a lot of background noise during my meditation, such as, people talking, lights being switched on, arguments, tv, etc etc.

Any useful tips on how to not get distracted by such noise??

I have a feeling someone might suggest walking meditation, so besides that as I do prefer sitting, especially with a lack of a flat path and some cold weather.

HI greeneggs

just get up early in the morning, say an hour before everyone else. This has always worked well for me.

kind regardsmanas

Yes, I think this is the easiest way around it... I usually meditate at night when everyone is asleep, because I am terrible at waking early

This just happened to be the case I tried sneaking in an afternoon meditation when no one was home, and ten minutes in the bombs started dropping , people talking right next to me as I am trying to meditate.

and to the rest of the replies I take note that noise is something to be equanimous about, as goofaholix mentioned it does help in establishing a calm mind.

I think it was ajahn chah who once said that monks should come to the forest to get away from distractions until they are firm in their practice and can better handle the distractions of the cities...

So, until I have unwavering equanimity I think I will just try and bear it or better yet try and adjust my schedule.

If you think nibbana is better than samsara, then you've missed the point - Ajahn Sumedho

Obviously your living environment is completely unknown to me...My room has a door with a small window in it....the family I am with, know not to "disturb" me when my door is closed and I have drawn the little curtain over the frosted window (which is not see-thru in any case....)At other times, if the door is closed, and uncurtained, they knock. Most of the time, I leave it wide open....

Can you not try to discuss these distractions with them, reach a compromise, ask them to not disturb you, or go to a separate place in the house where you can sit quietly and not be assailed too much by their noise?

You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.

Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap." ‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....